Fountain pen



OCt. 15, 1935. M Q SYPHER 2,017,109

FOUNTAIN PEN Filed Aug. 18, 1933 www /zz's ATTORNEY Cil Patented Oct. 15, 1935 PATENT OFFICE FOUNTAIN PEN Milford Guy Sypher, Belleville, N. J., -assignor to The Chilton Pen Company, Inc., Long Island City,^N. Y., a corporation of New York Application August 18, 1933, Serial No. 685,700 In Canada December 5, 1932 27 Claims.

The present invention relates, generally, to fountain pens, and more particularly to the class oi self-filling pens which utilize air pressure for deating the ink sac.

A popular type of self-filling pen utilizes the usual inl: sac and a tube telescoping with the barrel of the pen. By moving the barrel and tube relative to each ot-her, the air chamber about the ink sac is increased and decreased in size,

depending upon whether the tube is Withdrawn to its outward position er returned to closed position. An aperture in a cap closing the tube permits the pressure within the chamber about the ink sac to remain at atmospheric pressure While v the tube is retracted. When the tube is returned to its closed position, the chamber about the ink sac decreases in size and, by closing the aperture with the iinger, the pressure within the chamber increases and deflates or collapses the ink sac. The pen point is then placed into ink and the finger is removed from the aperture to restore atmospheric pressure. The ink sac, by reason' of its elasticity, returns to its normal shape, drawing a quantity of ink therein to iill the pen. Diiiiculty has been encountered with this type of pen due to the fact that the operator fails, in some instances, 'to-'close the aperture completely, which permits the air to escape from the chamber about the ink sac and the pen does not fill because the ink sac is not properly deated.

The present invention aims to provide an eiTective device for automatically opening the chamber about the ink sac to maintain atmospheric pressure when the tube is withdrawn, to increase the size of the air chamber about the ink sac. The invention also contemplates the provision of means adapted to automatically close the air chamber to increase the pressure while the tube is being returned and adapted to open the air chamber automatically to atmosphere when the parts are returned to their normal position, whereby atmospheric pressure in thechamber is restored and the ink sac is inflated to fill the pen. In this way, the pen will automatically ll itself when the tube is retracted and returned to its position. This simplies the lilling operation and makes it unnecessary to distribute detailed instructions as to how to operate the pens.

'An object of the present invention is to provide an improved self-filling fountain pen.

Another object of the invention is to provide anfimproved self-filling pen," which utilizes air pressure for collapsing the ink sac.

Another object of the invention is to provide an inexpensive device for controlling the air pressure within the air chamber to simplify the lling operation.

Another object of the invention is to open the air chamber automatically to atmosphere when the chamber about the ink sac is enlarged.

Another object of the invention is to close the air chamber automatically about the ink sac while the chamber is being decreased in size.

Another object of thefinvention is to open the chamber to atmosphere when the parts are returned to their closed position, so that the ink sac may inflate and iill the pen.

Another object of the invention is to provide a single device for automatic venting of the air chamber when the tube is retracted, for autol5 matically closing the chamber while the tube'is being returned toits original position, and automatically venting the chamber when the tube is returned to its original position.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved means for locking the parts in closed posit-ion and utilizing said means for retaining the packing within the pen.

Still another object of the invention is to utilize said locking means for venting the air chamber when the parts are returned to their closed position.

Other and further objects of the invention will be obvious upon an understanding of 'the illustrative embodiment about to be described, or will be indicated in the appended claims, and various advantages not referred to -herein will occur to one skilled in the art upon employment of the invention in practice.

A preferred embodiment of the invention has been chosen for purposes of illustration and description and is shown in the accompanying drawing, forming a part of the specification,... wherein Y Fig. 1 is a fragmentary, sectional view illus- 40 trating an embodiment of the invention embodied in a fountain pen;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view of the upper end of the pen with the slidable tube in retracted position, the venting aperture being open;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view illustrating the inner tube being returned to its closed position, the venting aperture being closed;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view, partly in section, Y

illustrating the parts substantially in closed position, withthe venting aperture about to be opened by the locking operation;

Fig. 5 is an exploded view illustrating the'parts about to be assembled;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view of a slightly different 55 2i form of the invention applied to a fountain pen;

Fig. '1 is a sectional View of the preferred embodiment of the invention; and

` Writing pen 4.

Fig. 8 is an exploded view illustrating the parts of the embodiment shown inV Fig. 7.

Referring again to the drawing, and more particularly to Figs. 1 to 5 thereof, there is shown a fountain pen having a barrel YI, a deflatable sac 2 for containing ink adapted to lbe fed tothe A tube 5 is telescoped within the barrel, with packing 6 adapted to form a subistantially fluid-tight joint between the barrel of the pen and the tube. The packing may be retained in position by means of Ya ring1- or other suitable means frictionally or positively held within the barrel of the pen to fit slidably with the tube 5. A

A cap 8 is provided to close the open end of the tube 5 so that the air chamber about the ink sac 2 may be increased in size, and subsequently decreased `in size, to delategtheink sac for `filling the fountain pen. The cap 8 preferably comprisesa molded upper part 9, into which is secured a gasket I2 adapted to fit against the upper end of the tube 5,(Fig. 3), and a tubular member ID having apertures I I therein. The lower end of the tubular part III preferably has a longitudinal slot I4 with a restricted .opening I5, as shown more particularly in Fig. 5.V VThe lower end of the opening is preferably flared to receive a pin I6, or

other projection, formed on or attached to the tube 5. The pin I6, when pressed into the mouthv of the slot I4, may be forced through the restricted opening I5 into the longitudinal slot I4 so that the cap B is securely attached to the tube, 5 through a slidable connection. If desired, instead of providing a restricted opening I5, the portion of the Ymember IEIbelowr the -slot I4 may be split longitudinally, to facilitate entry ofthe projection I 6. By reason of thelength of the slot I4, it is possible to slide the tubular member I with respect to the tube 5.

The purpose of this sliding operation is to open and close the aperture I I for automatically venting and closing the archamber ab outA the ink sac 2. Preferably, the tube I0 extends vWithin. the tube 5, and the projection I8 extends both on the interior and exterior of the tubular part I0. In the operation of the mechanism describedgabove,l the cap may be engaged to withdraw the tube from the barrel I'. When the upper part 9 ofthe pen cap Yis pulled outwardly, the tubular part II]l slides outwardly from ,the 1tube,` 5` so' that the gasket I2 is moved away from the end ofv-thevtube 5 and the aperture II is uncovered to vent the chamber to atmosphere (Fig. 2). Ordinarily,A the t between the member I0 and the tube 5 is sufliciently loose Vto permit entrance -or escape ofy air; hence, the aperture II is not essential.- As thecap is pulled outwardly, the pin I6 engages thejbottom of the slot I4 'so that the ltube-'5 is withdrawn. The air chamber about the ink sac may then be increased in size until,'preferably, it is substantially twice its original size. -A suitablev stop may be provided at the lower end of the tube to prevent it from being completely withdrawn. When pressure is appliedto thefupper part of the cap 8 vto return the parts to their closed position, theitubular member ID will slide further into the tube`5 until the projectionrIIy engages the-upper end ofthe slot vIII andthe gasket I2A in the cap abuts against the upper endr of the tube V5, which causes the aperture'I 'I to telescope intotube y5r and the tube 5 is closed by the gasket I2arid the cap 8, as shown inkFig. 8.v vrThis.close's'rthe lchamber' exposing the aperture I I and opening the cham- 'ber vto atmosphere. If desired, an inclined slot 1I1 may be provided in the ring 1, which holds the packing in position. This inclined slot I1 is adapted to be engaged by the projection I6 on the tube 5 for locking the parts in position. The relative sizes of the parts are such that, when the cap 8 is turned or rotated to cause the projection I6 to lock with the slot I1, the cap 8 is drawn into locked position on the end of the barrel I or the tuber5, which automatically pulls the tube 5 away from the cap 8, causing the tube I0 to move upwardly to unseat the gasket I2, uncover the apertures I I, and vent the chamber about the ink sac to atmosphere. Venting the chamber to atmosphere permits the ink sac to inflate.

A slightly different form of the mechanism is shown in Fig. 6, wherein the projection I6 extendsV only on the interior of the tube to lock the cap in position, and a threaded portion I9 is provided on the exterior of the tube 5 to engage cooperating interior threads on a member 2I secured to the barrel I. The other parts of the pen correspond to those shown in Figs. 1 to 5. The operation of the pen is likewise the same, except for the fact that the cap 8 must be rotated more in order to space the gasket I2 from the end of the tube 5 and to uncover the -aperture II to vent the pressure chamber. The

with knurls 23 adapted to facilitate securing the member 22 to the cap part. For example, the cap may be made of pyroxylin or other material adapted tok shrink into engagement with the knurls. A circular member 24, having a threaded aperture and grooves 26 therein is mounted in the cap toprovide means for connecting asuitable tubular member 21 thereto by threading a screw 29 into the aperture 25. In order to secure the member 25 into the cap, knurls 28 are provided therein which are embedded in the cap' material. If desired, an annular groove may be formed Vin the member 25 to provide a seat for `theupper end of member 22. In this manner, the member 22 assists in holding the member 25 in the cap. A suitable rib 30 is provided in the upper end of member 21, which ts into the grooves 26 to prevent relative rotation between the cap 8 and the tubular member 21. The rib 30and the upper end of member 21 may be reinforced'by inserting a suitable washer.33 adapted to receive the screw 29. The lower endof member 21 is slidably connected `to the tube ,5 to facilitate venting and closing of the air chamber about the ink sac. To provide an improved and serviceable connection, longitudinal -Vtubular cap 8 from the end of tube 5, thereby grooves 31,'terminating in slots 32, are formed in the member 21 and projections '34 are formed in the tube 5, which fit therein. The lower portion of member 21 is enlarged so `that its rits snugly into the tube and so that the lower ends of the slots engage the projections 34 to withdraw the tube 5 during the filling operation. Preferably, the tube 5 is providedwith screw threads I9 which may be rolled therein and are adapted to cooperate with threads 2D on the member 2i secured within the barrel I. If desired, recesses or grooves (Fig. 7) may be formed on the outerrperiphery of member 2| for molding, shrinking, or otherwise securing the barrel i about member 2l.

In assembling the above described construction, the member 2'! is inserted into the lower end of the tube 5 and is moved upwardly therein until the projections 34 t into the recesses 32. The cap may then be secured thereto by the screw 2S to permit limited movement thereof with respect to the tube 5. In this manner, when the cap is pushed inwardly toward the barrel, the projections 315 slide in the recesses Si until the gasket l2 engages the upper end of the tube 5 to close the air chamber. When the cap is withdrawn, the recesses 3! move with respect to the projections 34 until the lower ends of the slots 32 engage the projections and cause the tube 5 to be withdrawn. When the cap is pulled outwardly, the seal between the gasket i2 and the tube 5 is broken; the recesses 3i may' provide venting apertures for restoring atmospheric pressure in the air chamber about the link sac. The parts generally t loose- 1y and apertures are not necessary for venting the chamber but may assist in performing this function.

In the operation of the device, the cap 8 is retracted to the position shown in Fig. 2, during which the aperture it is uncovered to maintain atmospheric conditions within the chamber about the ink sac 2. The pen point 4 is then placed into an ink reservoir, and the cap 8 is pressed downwardly to return the parts to closed position. Downward pressure on Vthe cap 8 causes the tube ii! to slide with respect to the tube 5, thereby moving the gasket l2 against the end of the tube 5 and closing the aperture il. Further pressure on the cap 8 causes the tube 5 to' slide within the barrel of the pen, reducing the size of the chamber about the ink sac. Reduction in the size of the chamber increases the pressure within the chamber because the venting aperture l l is closed. When the parts have been returned substantially to their closed position, the ink sac is completely deflated and atmospheric pressure must be restored in the chamber to permit it to inflate and draw ink into the pen. This may be done by pulling up on the cap or by permitting the air pressure to raise the cap tol break the seal between the gasket l2 and the tube 5 and to uncover the aperture H. In the embodiments shown in Figs. l to 6, the air chamber automatically vents when the cap is screwed on the barrel. The tube 5 engages the screw means in the collar l in Fig. 4, or collar 2i in Fig. 6 and complete rotation of the cap to lock it in position pulls the tube 5 downward, which will slide the tube 5 with respect to the tube lil to uncover the aperture l! and to unseal the gasket l2 from the end of the tube 5. In this manner, the locking `operation automatically vents thechamber about the ink sac to atmosphere and -permitsthe pen to ll.

It will be seen that the present invention provides a very effective means -for filling pens and the like. plished by retracting the cap of the pen'and -returning it to its locked position, thereby eliminating any instructions to purchasers of the pens. The utilization of air pressure affords a-n'eiective deflation of the ink sac and permits a greater 10 amount of ink to be drawn into the pen, with the same size of barrel. The several partsare simple in construction and may be readily assembled.

This case is a vcontinuation in part of application Serial No. 585,192, led January 7, 1932.

As various changes may be made inthe form, construction and arrangement of the parts herein without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention and without sacrificing any of its advantages, it is to be understoodthat all matter herein is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a'fountain pen of the class described, the 25 combination of an ink sac, a pair of telescoping tubular members adapted to form a chamber about said ink sac whereby said air chamber may be enlarged by retracting one of said tubular members and may be reduced toits normal size 3 by returning said tubular member to its'original position, and means slidable with respect to one of said members for automatically venting said air chamber when one of said tubular members is retracted.

2. In a fountain pen of the class described,'the combination of an ink sac, a pair of telescoping tubular members adapted to form a chamber about said ink sac whereby said air chamber may be enlarged by retracting one of said tubular 40 members and may be reduced toits normal size by returning said tubular member to its original'position, and means movably attached to one of said tubular members and provided with an aperture for automatically venting said air chamber when the tube is retracted, said aperture being adapted to be closed when pressure is applied for returning the tube to its normal position.

3. Ina device of the class described, the combinationof a barrel, an ink sac within said barrel, a tube adapted to be telescoped within said barrel about said ink sac, a cap for said tube having a tubular portion adapted totelescope with said tube, and means for movably securing said tube and tubular portion together, said cap having a gasket therein adapted to abut against said tube to close said tube.

4. In a device of the class described, the comb-ination of a barrel, a collapsible sac, a tube within said barrel for creating pressure in said sac, a packing intermediate said barrel and said tube, means secured to said barrel for holding said packing in position, and means operatively connected to said tube adapted to cooperate with said rst means to lock said tube in position.

5. In a device of the class described, the combination of a barrel, a tube within said barrel having a cap attached thereto, a packing intermediate said barrel and said tube, means for holding said packing in position, and means associated with said tube and said cap adapted to cooperate with said holding means to lock said cap in its closed position.

6. In a device of the class described,'the combination of atubularmember, acap `adaptedto The filling operation may be accom- `5 Cil . said slot to hold said members together.

7. In a device of the class described, the combination of a tube adapted to telescope with the barrel of a pen, a'cap adapted to fit upon said tube, a tubular portion on said cap adapted to telescope with said tube, said tubular rportion having a slot with a restricted opening, and a proection on saidtube-adapted to be snapped into said slotto permit limited movement therebetween, one of said movable parts having Venting means therein adapted to be opened and closed by said relative movement.

8. In a fountain pen, the combination of a barrel, an ink sac within said barrel, a tube adapted to be telescoped within said barrel about said ink sac, a cap for said tube having a tubularv portion adapted to telescope with said tube, and means for slidably securing said tube and said tubular member together, said tubular portion having ank aperture therein adapted to be opened and closed by said sliding movement.

9. In a fountain pen, the combination of a barrel, an ink sac in said barrel, a tube slidable Within said barrel for varying the air pressure on said sac, and a second tube relatively slidable with respect to said first tube, one of said tubes having an aperture therein for controlling the pressure about said sac.

10. In a fountain pen, the combination of a barrel, an ink sac, a tube slidable with respect to said barrel to vary the air pressure Within said barrel, and a cap portion secured to said tube and slidable with respect to said tube, said cap portion having an aperture therein for releasing the air pressure within said barrel.

11. In a fountain pen, the combination. ofl a barrel, an ink sac, a. tubular member adapted to be reciprocated with respect to said barrel, a second tubular member slidable with respect to said rst tubular member, one of said tubular members having venting means therein, anda cap portion secured to said second tubular member for relatively moving said tubular members.

12. In a fountain pen, the combination of a tubular member, an `ink sac within said member, a second tubular member telescoped Within and slidable with respect to said first tubular member for varying the air space Withinrsaid tubular members, and a cap secured to said second tubular member and slidable with respect thereto, said cap being provided with Venting means for controlling the pressure of the air in the space within said tubular members.

13. In a device of the class described, the combination of a barrel, a collapsible sac in said barrel, a tube within said barrel for deflating said sac, and a cap attached to said tube having an aperture inY the side wall thereof adapted to be closed by a portion of said tube.

14. In a fountain pen, the combination of an ink sac, a pair of telescoping tubular members adapted to form a chamber about said ink sac, one of said members being stationary and the other movable, whereby said air chamber, may beV enlarged by retracting said movable member and may be reduced to its normal size by returning themovable member to its original position, and a substantially resilient sealing means adapted to close the chamber formed by said tubular members to atmosphere while said movable member is beingfreturned to its closed position and to open said chamber to atmosphere at all timesduring Y barrel, an ink sac within said barrel, a tube slid- 5 able with respect to said barrel, a cap having a tubular member mounted therein, said member being adapted to telescope with said tube, projecting means on said tube, and said tubular member having slots therein adapted to receive said projecting means and permit limited slidable movement thereof to make said aperture effective.

16. In Va fountain pen, the combination of a barrel, an ink sac in said barrel, a tube slidable Within said barrel for varying the air pressure on said sac, a second tube slidable with respect to said rst tube,^one of said tubes having an aperture therein for controlling the pressure about said sac, and means for locking said tubes against slidable movement with respect to the barrel.

17. In a fountain pen, the combination of a barrel, an ink sac in said barrel, a tube slidable within said barrel for varying the air pressure on said sac, a second tube slidable with respect to said first tube, one of said tubes having venting-means thereinfor controlling the pressure about said sac, and means for locking said tubes against slidable movement with respect to the barrel, the operation of said locking means being adapted toV operate said venting means to release air pressure about the sac. A

18. In a fountain pen, the combination of an ink sac, a pair of telescoping tubular members adapted to'forrn a chamber about said ink sac, 35 one of said-members being stationary and the other movable, whereby said air chamber may be enlarged by retracting said movable member and may be reduced toits normal size by returning the movable member to its original position, and a 40 sealing gasket adapted to be pressed against the end of one of said members to close the chamber formed by said tubular members to atmosphere while said movable member is being returned to its closed position. i5

19. In a fountain pen, the combination of a barrel, an ink sac, a tubular member adapted to be Vreciprocated with respect to said barrel, a second tubular member slidable with respect to said first` tubular member, a sealing gasket mounted adjacent the end of one of said tubular members for closing the chamber formed by said tubular members to atmosphere, and a cap member secured to said second tubular member.

20. In a fountain pen, the combination of a. rubbersac, a'pair of telescoping barrels forming a chamber about said sac, and means slidably mounted on one of saidl barrels for automatically opening said chamber about the sac to atmosphere at the commencement of the retraction of one of said barrels for enlargement of the chamber.

21. In a fountain pen, the combination of an ink sac, a pair of telescoping barrels forming a chamber about said ink sac, and means slidably mounted on one of said barrels for automatically opening said chamber about the ink sac to atmosphere at the commencement of the retraction of one of said barrels for enlargement of the chamber, said means being adapted to automatically close said chamber to atmosphere at the commencement of and during the return stroke of said barrel to compress the air therein.

22. In a fountain pen, the combination of a pair of telescoping barrels adapted to provide a chamber and means slidably attached to one of said barrels and movably associated with the other of said barrels to seal the chamber within said barrels to atmosphere when one of the barrels is moved in one direction with respect to the other barrel and to open the chamber to atmosphere when said barrel is moved in the opposite direction.

23. In a fountain pen, the combination of an ink sac, a pair of telescoping tubular members adapted to form a chamber about said ink sac whereby the effective air space about said ink sac may be increased by retracting one of said members and may be reduced by returning said tubular member toward its original position, and means for automatically venting 'said chamber at the commencement of and during the retraction of said tubular member to prevent the for mation of a partial vacuum in said chamber, said venting means being automatically ineiective during the return movement of said tubular member to create air pressure within the chamber for collapsing the ink sac.

24. In a fountain pen, the combination of an ink sac, a pair of telescoping tubular members adapted to form a chamber about said ink sac, whereby said air chamber may be enlarged by retracting one of said tubular members and may be reduced to its normal size by returning said tubular member to its original position, and means slidable with respect to one of said tubular members for automatically connecting said chamber to atmosphere during substantially the entire retraction movement of said tubular member to prevent the formation of a partial vacuum therein.

25. In a fountain pen, the combination of an ink sac, a pair of telescoping tubular members adapted to form a chamber about'said ink sac,

whereby said air chamber may be enlarged by retracting one of said tubular members and may be reduced to its normal size by returning said tubular member to its original position, and means slidably mounted at the end of one of said tubular members for automatically connecting said chamber to atmosphere during substantially the entire retraction movement of said tubular member to prevent the formation of a partial vacuum therein, and for automatically closing said chamber to atmosphere during substantially the entire return stroke of said tubular member to create pressure within said chamber for deating the ink sac.

26. In a fountain pen, the combination of a member adapted to be operated by air pressure, a pair of telescoping barrels adapted to provide a chamber about said member, and means slidably attached to one of said barrels and movably associated with the other of said barrels to seal the chamber about said member to atmosphere when the barrels are moved to compress the air in the chamber and to open the chamber to atmosphere when the barrels are moved in the opposite direction.

27. In a fountain pen, the combination of a member formed of resilient material adapted to be collapsed by air pressure, a pair of telescoping barrels adapted to form a chamber about said member, and a sealing member slidably attached 3() to theV end of one of said barrels and movably associated with said barrels to seal the chamber when the barrel is moved in the direction to collapse said member of resilient materialv and to open the chamber to relieve the air pressure and to permit said member to ini-late and draw ink into the pen when the barrel is moved in the opposite direction.

MILFORD GUY SYPHER. 

